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Our take on the Definitive Technology DI 6.5STR
by Crutchfield's Tara W.

Definitive Technology's DI 6.5STR stereo speaker is an ideal solution in areas where you don't have room for a pair of speakers, like hallways, bathrooms, or kitchens. This speaker installs flush in your ceiling. With its paintable, low-profile grille and hidden flange, it's practically invisible.

Definitive Technology's DI 6.5STR stereo speaker is an ideal solution in areas where you don't have room for a pair of speakers, like hallways, bathrooms, or kitchens. This speaker installs flush in your ceiling. With its paintable, low-profile grille and hidden flange, it's practically invisible.

The DI 6.5STR pairs two aimable 3/4" aluminum tweeters with a 6-1/2" driver for precise highs, full-bodied bass, and impressive dynamic range. The speaker features inputs for both left and right channels, so you'll hear both halves of stereo music.

Did you know?
Your new speakers will probably sound better after several weeks of use than they do right out of the box. That's because the material surrounding the woofers will loosen up, allowing the drivers to move more fully. Definitive Technology estimates a break-in period of 24 to 48 hours of playback before the speakers will deliver optimum sound quality. For more information and helpful tips, check out this article from Definitive's website about conditioning your speakers.

Definitive Technology DI 6.5STR Reviews

Def Tech In-Ceiling Stereo Speaker

Terrific imaging and strong bass response in a small package. I installed this 6.5'' single stereo speaker in my master bathroom. Since this is a fairly large room with lots of tile, granite and glass, I was worried they might sound too sharp. Instead, I was really impressed at the amount of bass this guy puts out.

Pros:Great performance and surprising bass with high WAF (Wife Approval Factor). The paintable grills perfectly conceal the in-ceiling speaker. One speaker does the trick.

Cons:Will make you want to add one in every bathroom and laundry room and that could be costly.

Awesome

We installed three of these: one in the kitchen, one in the dining room, and one in the "library". While we installed two of the DI6.5R (non-stereo) speakers in the living room, we opted for these two-channel individual speakers for these other smaller rooms. We are happy with this decision. The sound quality is crystal clear with sufficient bass, and we reduced cost and installation effort. Would definitely make the same decision again now that we have heard the results.

Product Research

Overview: The Definitive Technology Disappearing In-Wall
loudspeaker (DI Series) offers high-quality sound from a speaker that is barely
visible when installed in a wall or ceiling. The Definitive DI Series
incorporates a BDSS driver, pivoting tweeters, and integrated flanges behind an
unobtrusive grille to provide audiophile-grade sound quality with an almost
invisible appearance. The DI 6.5STR is a mere 8-5/16" (21.04cm) in total visible
diameter, which is about the same size as competing 5-1/4" in-wall/in-ceiling
models.

Features

Disappearing In-Wall Design: The DI 6.5STR features Definitive
Technology's Disappearing In-Wall Design. The mounting flange thickness of the
in-wall/in-ceiling loudspeaker is no more than 2.5mm (0.099") and is completely
covered by the grille that stands a mere 3.5mm (approx 0.125") from the wall
surface. The grille is "micro-perf", that while presenting an opaque appearance,
actually has more open area than typical perforated metal grilles allowing the
sound to pass through with less interference and better fidelity. Behind the
metal grille is an acoustically transparent proprietary cloth scrim that
effectively blacks the dark "shadow" of the black speaker parts from showing
through the grille.

Stereo Application: The DI 6.5STR is a "stereo" speaker, both left and right channels are fed into a single
speaker. Dual angled tweeters disperse the sound in broad area to approximate
the spaciousness of two speakers. The DI 6.5STR is the perfect solution in
spaces where you want sound, but where using two speakers is not practical or
economical-such as hallways, kitchens, bathrooms and offices.

Pivoting Aluminum Dome Tweeter with Waveguide: The DI Series
in-wall/in-ceiling loudspeaker uses two Definitive Technology's proprietary
ceramic-coated annealed aluminum 0.75" dome tweeters. The DI 6.5R tweeters are post
mounted, and the tweeters' housing is specially smoothed and shaped to use it as
an extremely effective low-diffraction waveguide. The aluminum dome tweeters
features a pivoting design which allows you to focus the sound toward or away
from your listening area depending on the application.

BDSS Drivers: The DI 6.5STR uses a 6.5" BDSS driver for
wide-bandwidth accurate frequency response, broad dispersion, low distortion,
and maximum detail retrieval. The 6.5" BDSS driver cone is supported by
specially tuned soft rubber surrounds at both the outer and inner edges. The
double surrounds allow the cone to have longer excursion without distortion. As
bass output is a function of both a cone's diameter and excursion, the higher
excursion BDSS system brings the benefit of higher bass output from smaller
drivers. The DI 6.5STR's 6.5" BDSS driver has the bass output and dynamic range of
a typical 8" driver.

Linkwitz-Riley Crossover Network: The Definitive Technology
DI 6.5STR's second order (12dB/octave) Linkwitz-Riley crossover offers a smooth
frequency and phase transition from driver to tweeter for natural midrange
response and excellent off-axis performance. A Zobel network flattens the
impedance curve of the speaker making it easier for today's digital amplifiers
to drive the speakers. Custom tight-tolerance (+/- 5%) components are used
throughout the crossover for superb unit-to-unit performance consistency.
Superior metal film capacitors are used in the high-pass section and the Zobel
network for extended high frequency response. Oversize inductors (coils) avoid
saturation thereby maintaining the wide dynamic range capabilities of the
driver.

AeroRing: The dimpled AeroRing is soft Sanoprene rubber and
serves several important functions. First, it damps the basket/flange assembly
nearest its thinnest part (the flange) to prevent resonance. Second it prevents
the grille from rattling in the unlikely event that it makes contact with the
speaker frame. It also provides a smooth transition for the waveform coming off
the cone. Similar to the dimples on a golf ball that reduce turbulence to aid in
longer flight, the dimples on the AeroRing promote smooth "laminar" air flow
over the surface thereby reducing diffraction effects. The DI Series
in-wall/in-ceiling loudspeakers sound clear, natural, and disperse their sound
over a wide area.

PolyStone Basket: The driver basket, mounting flange, and
mounting system of the DI 6.5STR is one piece of cast PolyStone; Definitive's
exclusive formulation of polymers and minerals that combine the rigidity and
strength of metal with the resonance damping properties of plastics. As a result
of the one-piece mounting system, the DI 6.5STR offers increased strength, a
compact size, and maximized cone area. Besides being more space efficient than
multi-piece construction, it also contributes to the superior sound quality of
the DI Series speakers.

Connections: The DI 6.5STR features a two pairs of heavy-duty,
gold-plated, spring-loaded wire terminals that have oversized holes to accept up
to 10 gauge wire.

Definitive's GaussGrip System: Definitive's GaussGrip system
securely holds the grille of the in-wall/in-ceiling loudspeaker in place with
powerful magnets. Simply lay the grille over the speaker and its secure. Taking
off the grille is just as easy and fast; no special tools that can chip the
grille paint are required. All you need to remove the grille is your fingers.

Paintable Grille The DI Series in-wall/in-ceiling
loudspeaker's white "micro-perf" cloth grille can be spray painted to match the
color of your wall or ceiling without any loss of sound quality. Simply remove
the grille from the speaker and place it on a drop cloth, newspaper, or plastic
sheet and spray paint it with canned spray paint that closely matches the
desired finish/color; or with indoor latex paint using an airbrush or spray gun
(available at home improvement stores). The paint must be diluted to a 6:1 ratio
of latex paint to water. Do not remove the backing cloth (scrim). Apply the
paint in a series of thin coats sprayed at 45-60 degrees from the grille
surface, allowing each coat to fully cure before applying additional coats. To
ensure that the paint distribution is evenly applied, each coat should be
applied from 4 different directions (N,S,E, & W) to ensure an even coverage on
the grille.

Note: The grille must be spray painted detached from the
speaker. Do not paint the grille with a brush or roller.

Mounting Options

Mounting: The DI 6.5STR can be mounted in-ceiling
using the integrated rotating clamps and four mounting screws, or using an
optional pre-construction bracket (73565RRIK, sold separately). A cutout
template is supplied to help you cut a 7-1/4" diameter hole. You will need to
allow at least 1/2" of space around the cutout and have at least 3-1/16" of
clearance for mounting depth (using 1/2" thick mounting surface). You should
allow at least 7/8" from the edge of the cutout to nearest obstruction inside
the mounting surface.

Optional Pre-Construction (Rough-In) Brackets: The optional
DI Series pre-construction rough-in brackets provide a simple way to mount these
in-wall/in-ceiling loudspeaker during pre-construction or remodeling of your
home. The center rings are fabricated from heavy duty painted stamped steel.
There are no sharp metal edges to cut an installer's hands and they are ultra
rigid, so that when drywall is laid over and cut the brackets will not bend or
break. The two 12" wings are painted perforated metal that snap onto the center
ring in a variety of positions to cover almost any installation. The wings can
be attached with nails, staples or screws; and can be bent and easily trimmed
with tin snips. They are also thin enough to make stud notching simple. The wire
tie loop easily breaks away when the speaker is installed. DI Rough-in Brackets
are packaged two to a carton.

Our Product Research Team

At Crutchfield, you'll get detailed, accurate information that's hard to find elsewhere. That's because we have our own in-house Product Research team. They verify what’s in the box, check the owner's manual, and record dimensions, features and specs. We stay on top of new products and technologies to help people make informed choices.

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Q & A

Customer Q&A

Crutchfield askedWhy did you buy this?

Needed to replace a single-channel ceiling speaker in our new house with a 2-channel one to get full stereo from a single speaker output. I have good experience with DT in the past, and so far, I'm very happy with this speaker as well.
[ L Aug 14, 2017 ]

put it on a opened screened in porch. 1 speaker the same you are inquiring about. It does a good job and I am pleased with it. Being opened however does hurt the stereo sound. If i did it again I would install 2 speakers in ceiling.
[ wade Jul 13, 2016 ]